Page:The Tremendous Event (1922).djvu/16

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE SUIT
15

the sky and, farther still, beneath the motionless cloud, grey as a great sheet of slate.

But, above Brighton, the sun, already dipping towards the downs, shone through the clouds; and a luminous trail of gold-dust appeared upon the sea.

La perfide!’’ murmured Simon Dubosc. He understood English perfectly, but always spoke French with his friend. ‘‘The perfidious brute: how beautiful she is, how attractive! Would you ever have thought her capable of these malevolent whims, which are so destructive and murderous? Are you crossing to-night, Rolleston?’’

‘“Yes, Newhaven to Dieppe.’’

‘‘You'll be quite safe,’’ said Simon. ‘‘The sea has had her two wrecks; she’s sated. But why are you in such a hurry to go?”

‘‘I have to interview a crew at Dieppe to-morrow morning; I am putting my yacht in commission. Then, in the afternoon, to Paris, I expect; and, in a week’s time, a cruise to Norway. And you, Simon?’’

Simon Dubose did not reply. He had turned toward the club-house, whose windows, in their borders of Virginia creeper and honeysuckle, were blazing with the sun. The players had left the